Daemen to hold groundbreaking for Academic and Wellness Center

by jmaloni

Submitted

Tue, May 5th 2015 02:05 pm

Daemen College will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking
at 3:30 p.m. Friday for its new Academic and Wellness Center at 4433 Main St.,
Amherst, located across the street from the college's main campus. Building
tours and a reception will follow the ceremony program.

Speakers will include Daemen President Gary A. Olson;
Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the
college; Bridget Niland, director of athletics; and Ronald J. Battaglia from Flynn Battaglia Architects.

Also as part of the ceremony, Amherst Supervisor Barry
A. Weinstein will present an official town proclamation in recognition of the
groundbreaking for Daemen's Academic and Wellness Center.

"This major refurbishment project will provide the
space needed to match the academic excellence and growth of the programs it
will house, and will support Daemen's exceptional student experience with
expanded wellness services that will promote healthy lifestyles and fitness,"
Olson said.

When work is completed in the fall, the
25,000-square-foot building will be home to classrooms and lab areas for the
physical therapy, athletic training and health care studies programs, as well
as house student lounges and offices.

In addition, the facility will include a completely
refurbished gymnasium as a new space option for college intramural and
recreational programming, and as a nearby team practice site for Daemen
athletics. A modern fitness center along with an updated locker room also will be
available to the campus community. What's more, the project will offer
additional space for the college's youth sports camps and for use for local
sports activities.